03/26/2007
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John Moore, president and CEO of the Memphis Regional Chamber, answers a question from an NFIB member at a recent grassroots business meeting at Regions Bank in Memphis. |
Memphis leader addresses NFIB members
Last week's NFIB Memphis Area Action Council monthly luncheon featured John Moore, president and chief executive officer of the Memphis Regional Chamber. Moore outlined the chamber's focus on economic development, communication and customer service. "Memphis [is] more than cotton and blues," Moore said. "We are bioindustry and air-cargo world leaders." Several NFIB members, including Marlin McKelvy, president of Consumer Directed Benefit Solutions, asked questions about economic development. Moore noted due to the proximity to Mississippi, Arkansas and Kentucky, Memphis must cooperate to ensure the successful completion of I-69 and a new bridge across the Mississippi River that meets earthquake standards. Thanks to Regions Bank for their continuing support of NFIB grassroots AAC meetings in Memphis.
West Tennessee members are encouraged to mark your calendars and join us at noon on Wednesday, April 18 for our next Memphis AAC Luncheon. For more information on upcoming grassroots meetings across Tennessee, please e-mail valerie.nagoshiner@nfib.org, or call (866) 798-4578.
NFIB member's activism makes the news
NFIB member Dean Glascock, owner of Arbor Art Tree Care Inc. in Nashville, says Tennessee's workers' compensation laws are driving him out of business. Glascock pays $23 in workers' compensation insurance premiums for every $100 he spends on payroll, and not all of his competitors do the same. Glascock shared his concerns recently with Tennessee House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh at NFIB's Small-Business Day at the Capitol. Read complete details. Glascock's comments drew the interest of The City Paper in Nashville. Thank you, Dean, for speaking out on important issues for small business!
Key legislative issue moving
Efforts to put into law Gov. Bredesen's executive order to streamline and add safeguards to the regulatory rule-making process moved forward in the Senate last week. Sen. Raymond Finney (Maryville) is sponsoring a bill to solidify the governor's dictate from last May. Finney's bill, SB55, passed out of the Senate Commerce, Labor and Agriculture Committee and is headed to the full Senate for a vote. Rep. Susan Lynn (Mt. Juliet) is sponsoring the House companion bill, which passed out of the Government Operations Committee and is pending a hearing in the House State and Local Government Committee.
CoverTN Update
NFIB continues CoverTN town hall tour in Memphis
Last week, Director for CoverTN Stephani Ryan answered questions about the state's new health insurance option for small business, at a town hall meeting held at the Germantown City Hall. The grassroots event was sponsored by NFIB and our friends at the Germantown Chamber of Commerce. About 30 small-business owners from the Germantown area listened to and asked questions about the state's new health insurance program. Additional town hall meetings will be schedule throughout the state over the next few weeks. Visit www.covertn.gov or call (866) CoverTN to learn more about CoverTN.
CoverTN OverviewCoverTN BenefitsCoverTN Employer Verification Form
NFIB/Tennessee State Director Gary Selvy speaks to news conference attendees at a Knoxville small business last week. Gov. Phil Bredesen, left, and State Sen. Mike Williams, second from left, and local entrepreneurs joined Selvy at the gathering. Photo courtesy Office of the Governor
Nashville member gives take on CoverTN
"It's important to me as a small-business owner that my employees have insurance coverage like CoverTN. My employees work hard and are an integral part of the business. CoverTN gives me the opportunity to provide them with an option that is good for them. I especially like the wellness part of the program; it gives employees an incentive to be healthy." -- Mike Kelly, owner of Jimmy Kelly's Steakhouse Restaurant in Nashville and a longtime NFIB member
Governor announces CoverTN launch in Knoxville
Last week, Gov. Phil Bredesen held a news conference at Fountain City Florist in Knoxville to announce the official launch of CoverTN in the Knoxville area. Several legislators and NFIB/Tennessee State Director Gary Selvy participated in the well-attended event. Selvy thanked the governor for his bold vision in working to provide affordable health insurance for small-business employers and employees. Selvy also detailed the challenge NFIB members are facing in accessing affordable insurance. The governor thanked NFIB for providing important feedback and input into plans for CoverTN.
NFIB president discusses health insurance with Congress
Recently, NFIB President Todd Stottlemyer testified before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business to address the challenges small businesses are facing in gaining access to affordable health insurance. Stottlemyer, whose comments were well received, said he is hopeful health-care reform for small business will occur this year. Late last week, the Senate approved a bipartisan amendment to the budget bill that lays the financial groundwork for market-based pooling to be allowed in future health insurance proposals. Read more about Small-Business Health Plans.
Congress considers paid sick leave proposal
U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy recently introduced S. 910, the "Healthy Families Act." This legislation requires small businesses that employ 15 or more workers to provide each employee with seven days of paid sick leave. Congress is expected to consider the proposal later this year. NFIB opposes government mandates like paid sick leave because they force small-business owners to implement policies that may not be in the best interest of their workers. NFIB believes small-business owners should be free to do what is best for them and their employees.
Sincerely,
Gary Selvy
NFIB/Tennessee State Director
gary.selvy@nfib.org
